14 Blades
Encyclopedia
14 Blades is a 2010 wuxia
film directed by Daniel Lee and starring Donnie Yen
, Zhao Wei
, Wu Chun
, Kate Tsui
and Qi Yuwu
. The film was released on February 4 in China and February 11 in Hong Kong. It received mixed reviews with critics focusing on their praise on actor Donnie Yen and Zhao Wei.
, the imperial court is plagued by corruption as eunuchs usurp state power and the reigning emperor is incompetent. The Jinyi Wei
(literally: brocade-clad guards) are the government's secret police, trained in clandestine combat since childhood, they are in charge of conducting missions to ensure peace and stability within the empire. They have the authority to prosecute anyone deemed as an enemy of the state and they devote their lives and lethal prowess to serving the emperor only. When the organization was first founded, the Jinyi Wei took orders directly from the emperor, but now they are under the control of the eunuchs. The eunuch chief Jia Jingzhong is plotting with an exiled noble, Prince Qing, to rebel against the emperor and seize power. Jia Jingzhong orders Qinglong, the Jinyi Wei leader, to kill the Imperial Councilor Zhao Shenyan and take Zhao's safebox, which supposedly contains a list of names of traitors.
However, Qinglong discovers later that he had been used, as the safebox contains the Imperial Seal
, a symbol of the emperor's authority, and Jia Jingzhong wants to use it to legitimize Prince Qing's actions when the rebellion begins. Qinglong is betrayed by his fellow Jinyi Wei and becomes a fugitive when Jia Jingzhong denounces him as a traitor and issues an order for his arrest. Qinglong escapes and joins the Justice Escort Agency, where he strikes up a romantic relationship with Qiao Hua, the daughter of the agency's leader. Qinglong is determined to fulfill his loyalty to the emperor and continues to search for evidence of Prince Qing's plot while undermining Prince Qing's plans concurrently. He is joined by the Heaven Eagles Gang, a group of bandits led by the Judge of the Sands. Standing in Qinglong's way are Jia Jingzhong's lackeys and his former Jinyi Wei fellows, as well as Prince Qing's goddaughter Tuotuo, a highly-skilled female warrior.
, China. Actor Donnie Yen
stated that he took his role of a villain in the film as he "wanted to tackle the role of a villain who discovers his humanity."
. The China Post
praised Donnie Yen
's acting ability and stated that the film was generally entertaining but criticized the action scenes, saying "you never actually clearly see even one of the 14 blades. Unlike a really decent martial arts film, in which the battle scenes are well choreographed and you see the majority of the action, this film's fight scenes were only dynamic."
Many reviewers also criticized the film's heavy of use of technology, which also indicating Kate Tsui
's shedding clothes technique. Film Business Asia gave the film a six out of ten, stating that 14 Blades has a "script that becomes increasingly incoherent and restless editing that grows more and more distracting" and that the action scenes were "largely dependant on wire-fu and CG..when [Donnie] Yen is allowed to show his skills properly...14 Blades starts to look like the film it could have been."
Variety
called 14 Blades an "above-average martial-arts actioner that reinforces Donnie Yen's "Man with No Name
" ambience.", "Despite the circumstances, Qiao Hua falls in love with her captor, a development made believable by Zhao's warm and affecting perf. Yen's Eastwood-like poise is used to good effect here, and the romantic tension keeps the narrative effectively taut between the battle sequences."
The Hollywood Reporter
wrote that the film "would have ended a mediocre film if not for the inventively designed and utilized weaponry (especially the titular 14 blades with different functions)" and had mixed reaction to the acting in the film, calling Donnie Yen's "stiff and steely demeanor actually works to his role's favor. The love interest with Qiao Hua is lame, especially with Zhao sleepwalking through another typecast role as playful, tomboyish heroine."
Beyond Hollywood said "Chinese period cinema mainstay Vicki Zhao has done so many of these movies that it's probably second nature to her by now. Besides last year's Mulan
, Zhao also had a substantial role in John Woo
's historical epic Red Cliff, and before that, the supernatural period actioner Painted Skin
. But she probably kicked off her current streak of "cute girl with expressive eyes and soulful disposition stuck in a man's world" roles in 2003's Warriors of Heaven and Earth
. To her credit, Zhao's scenes with Yen reminds us of just how far Yen still has to go as an actor, as well as how good Zhao is playing this familiar archetype."
4th China (Ningbo) Famers Film Festival
29th Hong Kong Film Awards
19th Shanghai Film Critics Awards
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
film directed by Daniel Lee and starring Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
, Zhao Wei
Zhao Wei
Zhao Wei is a mainland Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao...
, Wu Chun
Wu Chun
Wu Chun was born on 10 October 1979, birth name Goh Kiat Chun, is a Brunei-born Taiwanese actor, singer, former model and gym instructor....
, Kate Tsui
Kate Tsui
Kate Tsui Tsz-shan is the 2004 Miss Hong Kong pageant winner and currently a TVB actress.-Education:Tsui graduated from the University of California, Davis, majoring in Japanese. She is skilled in different interests such as acting, dancing, learning languages, and snowboarding...
and Qi Yuwu
Qi Yuwu
Qi Yuwu is a China-born Singapore film and television actor. Qi is a permanent resident of Singapore and a contracted artiste under Singapore's MediaCorp Studios.-Biography:...
. The film was released on February 4 in China and February 11 in Hong Kong. It received mixed reviews with critics focusing on their praise on actor Donnie Yen and Zhao Wei.
Plot
During the late Ming DynastyMing Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, the imperial court is plagued by corruption as eunuchs usurp state power and the reigning emperor is incompetent. The Jinyi Wei
Jinyi Wei
The Jinyi Wei was the imperial military secret police of the Chinese emperors of the Ming Dynasty and were bound to serving the emperor only. The Jinyi Wei was founded by the Hongwu Emperor in 1368 to serve as his personal bodyguards and it developed into a military organization the following year...
(literally: brocade-clad guards) are the government's secret police, trained in clandestine combat since childhood, they are in charge of conducting missions to ensure peace and stability within the empire. They have the authority to prosecute anyone deemed as an enemy of the state and they devote their lives and lethal prowess to serving the emperor only. When the organization was first founded, the Jinyi Wei took orders directly from the emperor, but now they are under the control of the eunuchs. The eunuch chief Jia Jingzhong is plotting with an exiled noble, Prince Qing, to rebel against the emperor and seize power. Jia Jingzhong orders Qinglong, the Jinyi Wei leader, to kill the Imperial Councilor Zhao Shenyan and take Zhao's safebox, which supposedly contains a list of names of traitors.
However, Qinglong discovers later that he had been used, as the safebox contains the Imperial Seal
Imperial Seal of China
The Imperial Seal of China, or the Heirloom Seal of the Realm is a Chinese jade seal carved out of the He Shi Bi, a historically famous piece of jade.-Creation:...
, a symbol of the emperor's authority, and Jia Jingzhong wants to use it to legitimize Prince Qing's actions when the rebellion begins. Qinglong is betrayed by his fellow Jinyi Wei and becomes a fugitive when Jia Jingzhong denounces him as a traitor and issues an order for his arrest. Qinglong escapes and joins the Justice Escort Agency, where he strikes up a romantic relationship with Qiao Hua, the daughter of the agency's leader. Qinglong is determined to fulfill his loyalty to the emperor and continues to search for evidence of Prince Qing's plot while undermining Prince Qing's plans concurrently. He is joined by the Heaven Eagles Gang, a group of bandits led by the Judge of the Sands. Standing in Qinglong's way are Jia Jingzhong's lackeys and his former Jinyi Wei fellows, as well as Prince Qing's goddaughter Tuotuo, a highly-skilled female warrior.
Cast
- Donnie YenDonnie YenDonnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
as Qinglong - Zhao WeiZhao WeiZhao Wei is a mainland Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao...
as Qiao Hua - Wu ChunWu ChunWu Chun was born on 10 October 1979, birth name Goh Kiat Chun, is a Brunei-born Taiwanese actor, singer, former model and gym instructor....
as Judge of the Sands - Kate TsuiKate TsuiKate Tsui Tsz-shan is the 2004 Miss Hong Kong pageant winner and currently a TVB actress.-Education:Tsui graduated from the University of California, Davis, majoring in Japanese. She is skilled in different interests such as acting, dancing, learning languages, and snowboarding...
as Tuotuo - Qi YuwuQi YuwuQi Yuwu is a China-born Singapore film and television actor. Qi is a permanent resident of Singapore and a contracted artiste under Singapore's MediaCorp Studios.-Biography:...
as Xuanwu - Sammo HungSammo HungSammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
as Prince Qing - Damian LauDamian LauDamian Lau Chung-yan is a Hong Kong film and television actor, executive producer and film director. Lau has starred in many television drama series of various genres, produced by Hong Kong's TVB and ATV.-Early career:...
as Zhao Shenyan - Wu MaWu MaWu Ma is a Chinese actor, director, producer and writer. Wu Ma made his screen debut in 1963, and with over 180 appearances to his name , Wu Ma is one of the most familiar faces in the history of Hong Kong Cinema...
as Qiao Yong - Law Kar-yingLaw Kar-YingLaw Kar-ying is a Hong Kong-based actor. He was originally a Cantonese Opera artiste. In 1990 he turned to acting in movies. He became popular after being cast in From Beijing with Love, which also starred Stephen Chow, as Da Vinci, an inventor whose list of gadgets include a solar-powered...
as Jia Jingzhong - Chen Kuan-tai as Fawang
- Chen Zhihui as Baihu
- Fung Hak-on as advisor
- Xu Xiangdong as Xiahou
- Liu Zhuoling as servant
- Zhang Yujiao as Zhao Shouzheng
- Ding Wenbin as Jifeng
- Jin Laiqun as Zhuque
Production
14 Blades was scheduled to start filming on May 14, 2009, in NingxiaNingxia
Ningxia, formerly transliterated as Ningsia, is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. Located in Northwest China, on the Loess Plateau, the Yellow River flows through this vast area of land. The Great Wall of China runs along its northeastern boundary...
, China. Actor Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
stated that he took his role of a villain in the film as he "wanted to tackle the role of a villain who discovers his humanity."
Release
14 Blades premiered in China and Singapore on February 4, 2010 and in Hong Kong on February 11. The film premiered at seventh place in the Hong Kong Box Office grossing $317,975 in its first week. It grossed a total of $984,711 at the Hong Kong box office. The film was successful in Singapore where it was first in the box office on its second week grossing a total of $1,126,692 on its theatrical run. The film grossed a worldwide total of $3,676,875.Reception
14 Blades was nominated for Best Action Choreography and Best Sound Design at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards29th Hong Kong Film Awards
Ceremony for the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards took place on 18 April 2010 . Here are the nominees listed taken from the official website.Wang Po Chieh's original nomination for the Best New Performer was withdrawn after he was confirmed to be an actor in the 2008 Taiwan film Winds of September...
. The China Post
The China Post
For the article on the postal system based in the People's Republic of China, see China Post.The China Post is one of the three English-language newspapers published in Taiwan , the other two being Taiwan News and the Taipei Times. It was established by Mr. and Mrs. Y.P. Huang in 1952...
praised Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
's acting ability and stated that the film was generally entertaining but criticized the action scenes, saying "you never actually clearly see even one of the 14 blades. Unlike a really decent martial arts film, in which the battle scenes are well choreographed and you see the majority of the action, this film's fight scenes were only dynamic."
Many reviewers also criticized the film's heavy of use of technology, which also indicating Kate Tsui
Kate Tsui
Kate Tsui Tsz-shan is the 2004 Miss Hong Kong pageant winner and currently a TVB actress.-Education:Tsui graduated from the University of California, Davis, majoring in Japanese. She is skilled in different interests such as acting, dancing, learning languages, and snowboarding...
's shedding clothes technique. Film Business Asia gave the film a six out of ten, stating that 14 Blades has a "script that becomes increasingly incoherent and restless editing that grows more and more distracting" and that the action scenes were "largely dependant on wire-fu and CG..when [Donnie] Yen is allowed to show his skills properly...14 Blades starts to look like the film it could have been."
Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
called 14 Blades an "above-average martial-arts actioner that reinforces Donnie Yen's "Man with No Name
Man with No Name
The man with no name is a stock character in Western films, but the term usually applies specifically to the character played by Clint Eastwood in Sergio Leone's "Dollars Trilogy."...
" ambience.", "Despite the circumstances, Qiao Hua falls in love with her captor, a development made believable by Zhao's warm and affecting perf. Yen's Eastwood-like poise is used to good effect here, and the romantic tension keeps the narrative effectively taut between the battle sequences."
The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
wrote that the film "would have ended a mediocre film if not for the inventively designed and utilized weaponry (especially the titular 14 blades with different functions)" and had mixed reaction to the acting in the film, calling Donnie Yen's "stiff and steely demeanor actually works to his role's favor. The love interest with Qiao Hua is lame, especially with Zhao sleepwalking through another typecast role as playful, tomboyish heroine."
Beyond Hollywood said "Chinese period cinema mainstay Vicki Zhao has done so many of these movies that it's probably second nature to her by now. Besides last year's Mulan
Mulan (2009 film)
Mulan, known in Chinese as Hua Mulan, is a 2009 Chinese film starring Zhao Wei as the titular protagonist. The director, Jingle Ma, has explained that this film is vastly different from the 1998 Walt Disney animated film and adheres more to his imagination...
, Zhao also had a substantial role in John Woo
John Woo
John Woo Yu-Sen SBS is a Hong Kong-based film director and producer. Recognized for his stylised films of highly choreographed action sequences, Mexican standoffs, and use of slow-motion, Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard...
's historical epic Red Cliff, and before that, the supernatural period actioner Painted Skin
Painted Skin (2008 film)
Painted Skin is a 2008 supernatural fantasy film directed by Gordon Chan, starring Donnie Yen, Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, Zhao Wei, Betty Sun and Qi Yuwu....
. But she probably kicked off her current streak of "cute girl with expressive eyes and soulful disposition stuck in a man's world" roles in 2003's Warriors of Heaven and Earth
Warriors of Heaven and Earth
Warriors of Heaven and Earth is a 2003 Chinese action adventure film directed by He Ping. The film's notable cinematography captures a wide range of landscapes across China's Xinjiang province...
. To her credit, Zhao's scenes with Yen reminds us of just how far Yen still has to go as an actor, as well as how good Zhao is playing this familiar archetype."
Awards and nominations
17th Beijing Student Film FestivalBeijing Student Film Festival
Beijing Student Film Festival abbreviated SIFF, first held in 1993, organized by Beijing Normal University and Beijing Municipal Bureau of Radio, Film and Television...
- Won: Favorite Actress (Zhao WeiZhao WeiZhao Wei is a mainland Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao...
)
4th China (Ningbo) Famers Film Festival
- Won: Favorite Actress (Zhao WeiZhao WeiZhao Wei is a mainland Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao...
)
29th Hong Kong Film Awards
29th Hong Kong Film Awards
Ceremony for the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards took place on 18 April 2010 . Here are the nominees listed taken from the official website.Wang Po Chieh's original nomination for the Best New Performer was withdrawn after he was confirmed to be an actor in the 2008 Taiwan film Winds of September...
- Nominated: Best Action Choreography (Guk Hin-chiu)
- Nominated: Best Sound Design (Ken Wong and Phyllis Cheng)
19th Shanghai Film Critics Awards
Shanghai Film Critics Awards
Shanghai Film Critics Awards are given annually to honor excellence in national cinema by an organization of film reviewers from Shanghai Film Critics Association and Shang Film Museum. This event is the only critics' awards in mainland China. The first annual held in 1991. From 1991 to 1993, they...
- Won: Best Actress (Zhao WeiZhao WeiZhao Wei is a mainland Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao...
) also for MulanMulan (2009 film)Mulan, known in Chinese as Hua Mulan, is a 2009 Chinese film starring Zhao Wei as the titular protagonist. The director, Jingle Ma, has explained that this film is vastly different from the 1998 Walt Disney animated film and adheres more to his imagination...